Chapter 236: Invoking the Tree Creation Art
Deep underground beneath the basement of the Main Building of the sect, Shayleaf stood with her hand outstretched. Beneath two of her fingers rested the seed she had cultivated. It glowed with tricolored light and radiated dense Nature essence mixed with a faint hidden blood energy. It pulsed softly and appeared to breathe as it trembled between her fingers.
"Well then, let us get started! Go forth, my incredible masterpiece!" Shayleaf said excitedly as her body glowed with her newly gained Mortal Shedding Realm power.
With a slight toss of her hand, the seed shot into the surrounding dirt, burrowing deeper. After a certain depth it stopped, its glow intensifying. Empowered by her Mortal Core, Shayleaf's spirit chants the spirit language at over a hundredfold speed, unleashing a storm of runes that envelope the Seed.
-Great Tree Creation Art-
Sprouts burst through the seed's coating as they began to grow and spread out. Moments later the growth accelerated. A massive web of roots and vines spread swiftly, attaching to and transforming all flora that existed beneath the ground. With each passing second the process of germination became faster and more overwhelming.
Minutes later the entire landscape of the White Star Radiance Sect shook. Cracks formed across the ground. Mist and dust clouds rose at an alarming rate. Christy had already announced to everyone within the sect that there was no cause for alarm, easing the growing panic.
Large trees filled with powerful vitality soon sprouted across the sect. They grew at an incredible speed as they shot toward the skies. Vines and countless flora wrapped around the buildings and living quarters, transforming their original structures.
At the very center of the sect, where the Main Building once stood alone, a colossal golden tree rose and swallowed the surrounding land. A giant hill formed beneath it, lifting that entire portion of the sect. The Main Building became rooted into the tree itself. Its exterior rapidly shifted into a new structure. Though the changes were not immediately noticeable from the inside, the building had actually expanded greatly, with room for many more floors and chambers in the future.
As time continued, the entire inner sect transformed. Originally the inner sect measured only half the size of the four miles that White Star Radiance controlled in the Blue Star Sect Grave. They had been too focused on war, preparations, and clearing essence beasts to develop the land. Now everything changed entirely.
Nine massive green-and-gold trees with crimson etchings erupted from the earth with towering momentum. They surrounded the White Star Radiance Sect within a five-mile radius. Low groans echoed from their trunks as if they possessed will. Then, at a nearly imperceptible rate, they slowly shifted outward, expanding the sect's territory.
Essence beasts lurking within the region trembled with terror and fled in all directions. The newly grown trees and flora overwhelmed them with an indescribable instinctive fear. Disciples throughout the sect watched in awe. Those from the Fanged Elf Tribe were especially moved as they felt a familiar aura that reminded them of their ancestral lands.
"Hahaha wow this is wonderful! This aura and setting makes me feel at ease!" one fanged elf woman said happily.
"I am telling you! This is our sect! This is our home! No one will ever take this from us!" a fanged elf man said with excitement.
"A lot of the structure is even fit for other races to establish certain areas to their tastes not only just for elves or other fae races. This feeling is surreal," another fanged elf murmured, his mixed heritage showing in his features.
Back at the center of the sect, the colossal golden tree towered above everything, piercing the sky. Its golden surface slowly dimmed into a golden-bronze color. Its leaves became a brilliant mixture of red and green. On three of its sides, the image of a giant sword appeared, its color shifting from golden-bronze into a deep blue. Star-shaped etchings shimmered within the blade image. Anyone who examined the tree would immediately recognize the symbol of White Star Radiance etched upon the sect uniforms.
Shayleaf moved from the basement to the main floor and then dashed outside, stopping at a distance. She turned and observed the result of her labor. Her eyes shined brightly as she studied every leaf, branch, rune, etching, and flow of power.
"Hahahaha!!! What a magnificent masterpiece! Ah? However, there is still more to be done. This is beautiful, but not absolute perfection. I must become even better!" Shayleaf squealed with excitement.
"Hmph! You have experienced a tremendous breakthrough and created something so grand, yet this Princess already hears you plotting more extravagance! How greedy are you, haah?" a familiar voice said behind her.
Shayleaf spun around with uncontained excitement. "Ambeeeeeeer!! You all! Heheee welcome to our new blessed haven!"
"We greet Her Lordship, Mortal Lord Crimson Star Fang!" shouted the gathering group of fanged elves behind Amberleaf as well as the other lingering disciples in the sect.
"Hmph! Congratulations on breaking through, Shay. Leaving this Princess even further behind so quickly..!" Amberleaf huffed, although her excitement showed clearly.
"Thank you Amber! Ah do not worry, I will make it so that Brother Elly gives you extra attention to help you grow too, kay?" Shayleaf said shamelessly, tilting her head with a bright smile. Everyone nearby wore strange expressions after hearing that.
"Whaaa?! Shay you idiooooot!!!" Amberleaf shrieked, her entire face flushing bright red before she bolted away. She paused only briefly. "A Princess should always keep her word, especially as a Mortal Lord!"
She vanished into the distance, leaving everyone staring after her with even stranger expressions.
"Hahahaha Amber is always so funny," Shayleaf giggled.
Three powerful auras suddenly appeared before landing in front of Shayleaf. The pressure nearly suffocated everyone nearby, forcing them to kneel.
"You all may leave," said one of them, the fanged elf royal.
The crowd obeyed and dispersed.
"Geez that was far too forceful, don't you think? Wooo…" Shayleaf complained.
"Lady Shayleaf, now that you have become a Mortal Lord, you must be more aware of your status. This sect is new. Vigilance is necessary," the royal said calmly.
"If you say so. So what is the real reason you all came here? It was not to lecture me about this, was it?" Shayleaf asked with a tilted head.
"Very perceptive, Milady. From now on the three of us will act as your retainers. You are an Apex Mortal Lord. That places a tremendous target on your back. Even Late Stage Mortal Lords would desire your core," he said grimly.
"Ehhh…" Shayleaf wanted to protest, but held her tongue once she sensed three familiar people rushing out of the Main Building.
"Shay!! This is magnificent! You created such an incredible work of art for our sect!" Erica said with a glowing smile.
"It is truly incredible. I observed everything in far greater detail through the orb while using my Kokon Tengan. I have already formed countless ideas for even more spectacular developments! You have given me so much insight," Christy said ecstatically.
"Hehehe Sister Eri! Sister Chrissy! Let—"
Before Shayleaf could run to embrace them, the two crimson-eyed Mortal Lords stepped forward and blocked Erica and Christy, knocking them back.
"What are you doing?!?!" Shayleaf roared as a torrent of magic exploded from her body. She prepared to strike, only for the fanged elf royal to intercept.
"Lady Shayleaf, calm yourself. As I stated before, you must mind your status and—"
"SHUT UP!! How dare you treat my beloved sisters like this!!!" Shayleaf bellowed as her pupils turned crimson and red streaks spread through her hair.
A bloody aura erupted from her body. The lands trembled. The surrounding trees turned crimson. Killing intent washed over the area and transformed the once-majestic scenery into something resembling a domain of slaughter.
The three Middle Stage Mortal Lords recoiled in disbelief.
"Ah! Shay calm down! We are not hurt. We are fine… But seriously, it is interesting that you felt the need to attack an Arch Guardian and a Vice Sect Master despite knowing both of our backgrounds," Christy said calmly, her gaze piercing through the three experts.
"…I understand. Forgive us for acting too rashly. We will make an exception for you all since it is true that Lady Shay would not have reached this stage so quickly without your help," the fanged elf royal said, stepping back.
"When you say you all…?" Erica asked.
"I mean you two and the sect master. Lady Amberleaf as well," he clarified.
"No. I will accept protection concerning outsiders. However, when it comes to my closest friends since my days as a Laughing Blue Reaper until now, I do not need your unnecessary interference," Shayleaf said coldly.
Silence fell across the land. Disciples watched from afar but dared not approach.
With a sigh, the fanged elf royal relented. "Very well. Our apologies. Lady Shayleaf is precious to our tribe, and we acted too forcefully."
"Too forceful is an understatement," Erica muttered.
The bloody aura dissipated instantly. The land returned to its beautiful state, though Shayleaf's expression remained cold.
"Brother Elly, Sister Chrissy, Sister Eri, and the others are more talented than I am. They will likely become Apex Mortal Lords as well. There is no reason to guard against them," Shayleaf said firmly.
The three Mortal Lords could not refute her words. A hint of dread crossed their faces as they realized how bad the repercussions would be especially with so many different forces allying mainly because of this sect.
"M-my apologies. As a token of sincerity, we will intervene three times on your behalf even in situations that may not appear dangerous."
Christy's eyes lit up instantly. "Then!!! Yes, I accept, and I already have something for you to do!"